John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)

As I advised the House on 14 April 2005, there has been a major reform of tourism structures in recent years with the setting up of Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland. Reform of the function, role and operational structure of regional tourism is the third and final leg of that reform process. I have no direct responsibility for the most appropriate regional structures for the discharge of Fáilte Ireland's functions and the relationships and arrangements that should apply at regional level — this is effectively a day-to-day matter for Fáilte Ireland.

In response to a recommendation in the tourism action plan set out in the report of the tourism policy review group, Fáilte Ireland commissioned PricewaterhouseCoopers to conduct a major consultancy study of regional tourism structures as the authority sought to determine how best to carry out its new development mandate countrywide.

On 13 April last, I received a letter from the chairman of Fáilte Ireland, enclosing a copy of the PricewaterhouseCoopers consultancy report and indicating that the authority endorsed the recommendations in the report at its meeting on Thursday 7 April. This report has been published and widely circulated by Fáilte Ireland and is available on its website.

In regard to the Dublin region, the authority has initiated a further short engagement with the relevant parties to satisfy interests in the Dublin region that the mechanisms of consultation are complete. A small independent group, chaired by Mr. John Travers, will facilitate this process, and it is expected that the Fáilte Ireland authority will consider the outcome of this work at its next meeting, which is scheduled for mid-June.

The PricewaterhouseCoopers report highlights the need for a much wider brief for regional tourism, playing a strategic rather than administrative role and making a more direct input into national policy. It recommends a stronger emphasis on targeted marketing, product development and enterprise support. It suggests establishing an integrated link between regional tourism strategy and national policy and exploiting avenues to leverage increased resources.

Over the coming weeks I will continue to consider the policy implications of the authority's recommendations on foot of the report, the outcome of the further consultation process on the concerns expressed about the future role of Dublin Tourism, and the views of the industry. I want to satisfy myself that we have the most efficient and effective regional structures to service the needs of the visitor and the needs of the industry. The structures are somewhat fragmented and it is not always clear that they represent the most effective use of energy and resources.

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